The War God’s Debt

Chapter 2

The translucent war-aura flashed about Adrian like a fading sunset, and the courtyard fell silent—too silently.  Brayden fell down at his feet, face buried in the marble floor, unconscious.  His buddies stopped in place, a surge of primordial horror overwhelming their previous haughtiness.

What they had just witnessed was beyond their comprehension.

No one here did.

Even Adrian kept his face blank, shoulders relaxed as the final remnants of the divine aura sank back into his skin. Too much… that was too much. A casual tap shouldn’t have awakened even a spark of his old power. Something was off. His reincarnated body was responding faster than expected.

Whispers flew through the gathering around him like fire sparks.

“Did he… knock Brayden out with one hit?”

“No… he didn’t hit him. He… touched him.”

“That wasn’t normal. That couldn’t be normal.”

Adrian ignored them. Noise meant nothing to him. Opinions even less. He just turned his back on the unconscious thug and adjusted his collar.

However, he felt a slight tremor in his fingertips as he moved, the last vestiges of the deity he once was.

Control yourself, he reminded himself. You came here for one purpose. Honor the debt. Stay low. Blend in.

So far, he was failing that last part.

THE ELITE UNIVERSITY WAKES UP

Everspell Elite University was not a place where secrets stayed buried. Information was vital to its populace, which included hidden heirs, awakened ability users, nobles, and the offspring of powerful clans.

The event quickly went viral on message boards, group chats, whispers, and even private clan channels.

Who’s Adrian Kane?

Zero spirit rating but crushed Brayden?

Was that mana? Ki? Divine energy?

Is he awakening?

Is he cheating?

Is he dangerous?

Adrian heard none of it. He’d already slipped away from the gathering crowd, heading toward Building A—where the first-year induction ceremony was supposed to take place.

But footsteps followed him.

Someone wasn’t done.

THE STRATEGIST IN THE SHADOWS

As Adrian walked up, Sera Whitmore, a genius, clan heiress, and vice president of the student council, reclined against a pillar with her arms folded. Her piercing grey eyes studied him with surgical precision.

“You made quite a mess,” she said. “Orientation hasn’t even started yet.”

Adrian glanced at her without slowing. “I didn’t touch him. He fell.”

“You pressed his pressure point so precisely that his mana channels spasmed.” She tilted her head. “Normal students can’t do that.”

“I never said I was normal.”

Her lips curved. Not a smile. A calculation.

Most students who saw what happened were scared. Sera was… curious. That alone made her dangerous.

She stepped in his path. “I don’t know what you are, but I don’t believe your zero-rating results. No one with your reaction time has no awakened potential.”

Adrian remained still. Calm. “If I were powerful, why would I be here?”

“Because this is the best academy in the country,” she replied smoothly. “And powerful people like attention.”

She didn’t know him at all.

He moved around her and kept walking. “Find someone else to interrogate.”

“Adrian Kane,” she called behind him. “People will come for you after what happened. Be ready.”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. He knew people would come.

They always did.

THE GOD BURIED INSIDE

Inside the massive auditorium, students filled the rows, chatting excitedly. A giant crystal screen displayed the new class list. Adrian took a seat near the back—his preferred position. From here, he could observe every exit, every window, every blind spot. Old habits.

His heart rate slowed to a steady, controlled beat. He regulated his breathing. Suppressed every ripple of divine energy still swirling inside him.

He had spent lifetimes mastering war. Reincarnation couldn’t erase that.

“The son-in-law of the Campbell family is starting quite the drama.”

The voice came from his left. Adrian turned.

His brother-in-law, Isaac Campbell, sat down next to him, a frustrated expression on his face.  Steaming below, but elegant and calm.

“You embarrassed my family’s name on the first day,” Isaac hissed. “Do you know how this reflects on us?”

Adrian didn’t react. “Your bully was harassing freshmen.”

“I don’t care. Brayden is the nephew of Chairman Holt. Do you think he’ll ignore this?”

Adrian shrugged lightly. “He can try.”

Isaac tightened his jaw.  "You believe my sister wanted to marry you?"

Adrian didn’t reply. He felt no need to defend himself.

He married Emilia Campbell to repay a debt to her late father, the general who once saved Adrian’s mortal life before his ascension. That debt had to be honored. Nothing else mattered.

Isaac continued, lowering his voice. “One warning, Adrian. Don’t drag us down with you.”

Then he stood and left.

Adrian remained still. His expression didn’t change—but internally, a spark of annoyance flickered.

I am trying to live quietly. Why does everyone insist on provoking me?

THE FIRST TEST OF THE ELITE

A booming voice cut through the murmurs.

“Welcome, students.”

Standing at the podium, the Everspell dean's robes glowed subtly with magic.

“Before your official induction, we have a mandatory assessment. A simple one.”

Students straightened.

Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

Assessment?

On day one?

The lights dimmed as a massive teleportation circle lit up beneath the stage.

“You will each face a projection beast calibrated to your reported power level,” the dean explained. “Those with high ratings will face harder opponents. Those with low—”

His gaze flicked toward Adrian.

“—will have an easier time.”

Whispers rose again.

“Lucky zero-rating guy…”

“He’ll face a slime or something.”

“Hope he survives.”

Adrian exhaled slowly. I need to hold back. A projection beast is still made of pure mana. One mistake and my true nature will leak again.

Names began flashing across the screen.

Students stepped into the teleportation circle one by one.

Cries. Cheers. Gasps.

But everything went smoothly—until the screen flashed:

ADRIAN KANE — START ASSESSMENT

Dozens of heads turned.

A few snickers.

Someone muttered, “This’ll be quick.”

Adrian stepped into the teleportation circle, letting the light swallow him whole.

The world shifted.

THE ARENA OF SECRETS

He materialized inside an empty stone arena. Circular. Silent. The scripted testing environment for all new students.

A glowing orb floated ahead of him.

“LEVEL CALIBRATION: ZERO,” the artificial voice announced.

“GENERATING BEAST: LOW-TIER SHADOW HOUND.”

Adrian exhaled in relief. Good. Something simple. I can disable it without showing anything unusual.

The magic mist swirled, forming the shape of a wolf-like creature with black smoke leaking from its body. Its glowing purple eyes fixed on him.

It growled, pacing forward.

Adrian rolled his shoulders and—

ERROR.

The orb glitched.

“CALIBRATION… FAILED.”

Adrian’s brows furrowed.

“RECALIBRATING SPIRIT LEVEL… MEASURING…”

He froze.

No. Don’t measure me. Don’t measure—

The orb flashed violently.

“ERROR. ERROR. SPIRIT LEVEL… NOT FOUND… NOT HUMAN… CLASSIFICATION UNKNOWN.”

Adrian’s blood turned cold.

Outside the arena, alarms blared.

Instructors stood. Students gasped. The dean’s face drained of color.

Inside the arena, the orb spoke again:

“ADJUSTING THREAT LEVEL.”

“GENERATING NEW TARGET.”

The magic mist exploded upward.

A massive shape materialized.

A creature towering three stories tall.

Armored hide. Burning crimson eyes.

Dripping fangs.

“ELITE-TIER ABYSSAL WAR DEMON GENERATED.”

Adrian stared up at it—expression finally breaking.

Someone had tampered with the system.

Someone wanted him exposed.

He clenched his fists.

So this is how it begins…

The demon roared, shaking the arena.

Adrian lifted his gaze, his divine aura stirring against his will.

And just as the monster lunged—

the arena barrier shattered with a deafening crack.